:Iranian Official Warns of “Dark Months” for US Economy as Tensions Escalate

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has warned that “dark months” could lie ahead for the US economy and urged Americans to consider stockpiling gasoline and other fuel as Tehran threatens an asymmetric response to US military action.

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has warned of economic consequences for the United States as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalate. [Photo: Khamenai.ir]

Aref said in a social-media post that recent US attacks had changed Iran's security calculations and defense doctrine. He said Iran's response would be “asymmetric” and “multi-layered” and aimed at depriving the United States of security.

“Americans should think about stockpiling gasoline and fuel; dark months await the American economy,” Aref said.

His comments came amid renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran, including an incident in Iran's Hormozgan Province that Iranian officials said involved a US strike on a wedding celebration.

Iranian officials said at least four civilians were killed in the incident. The US military has denied intentionally targeting civilians and said it was investigating reports concerning the alleged strike.

US officials have disputed Iran's account of the incident. Vice President JD Vance said he was “extremely skeptical” that the US had struck a wedding party, while the military said its operations target military objectives.

The dispute comes amid broader tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and the wider US-Iran conflict, with Iran threatening retaliation and Washington maintaining economic and military pressure on Tehran.

Aref's warning is a statement from a senior Iranian official rather than an independent forecast that US fuel supplies or the economy will experience a severe disruption.